Monday, 17 June 2013

Carmarthen Wanderers' incredible start in Division One of the Thomas Carroll SWCA continued, as the new boys leapt to second with their fourth win of the season dispatching Cowbridge by 94 runs in West Wales.

The Wanderers were put in and posted 166-7 in a reduced 44 overs. Daniel Jones was the best with the bat knocking 44, while Giles Thomas (40) and Owain Davies (38) also produced with the willow. Chris Willey was the most lethal with the ball in hand as he snared 5-34.

Cowbridge in reply were no match for the hosts' assault, with Jones once again the star as he captured 3-3 from seven overs, including five maidens, while Leighton Walters, Ian Marsh and Owain Binding all bagged two wickets apiece.

Meanwhile, Tata Steel got their title challenge back on track with a 100 win victory at a damp Clydach.

The Port Talbot outfit were put in and posted 204-7 in a reduced 35 over match, thanks to a wonderful opening partnership from Owen Davies (93) and Phillip Taylor (55), as they posted 138 for the loss of the first wicket. Chris Donne was the most efficient in attack for the hosts, taking 4-36.

Clydach in response were just five balls from holding on for a draw but were skittled for 104. David Jones was destroyer in chief for the title contenders as he snared 5-31, while Michael and Matthew Jones claimed two wickets apiece.

Leaders Neath maintained their unbeaten start as they picked up a winning draw at Ynystawe.

The Gnoll outfit batted first and carded 174-7 in 45 overs, Keiran Thomas the top scorer knocking an impressive half century (50) while Gareth Davies chipped in with 35.

Ynystawe in reply never looked as though they were to threaten Neath’s total, but some dogged performances at the crease from Carl Roberts (28n/o), Sion Jones (24) and Sean Jenkins (18) ensured they avoided defeat.

Celtic set a total of 167-4 in a rain reduced 39 overs. Tom Morgan smashed an unbeaten half century (53), while Ian Herbert (46) and Phil Poole (45) also posted solid figures.

In reply, Llangennech could only muster 120 despite a determined unbeaten 42 from Atif Hameed, but potent bowling from Glen Lawner (5-27) and Paul Morris (3-11) saw the Llynfi Valley side home.

In the day’s other fixture, Dafen hung on to avoid defeat at Gowerton.

In Division Two, Aberdare kept up their unbeaten start to move to second as they left it late to see off Gorseinon by two wickets.

Gorseinon batted first and knocked 146-7, James Williams the best with the bat with 49, while John Simmonds chipped in with 31. Michael Roberts and Geoff Derrick each bagged a brace of wickets.

The Cynon Valley side made steady progress in reply. Luke Garthwaite top scored on 32, Derrick produced another fine performance contributing 26 runs, while an unbeaten 24 from Dominic Jones saw the visitors win with the final delivery.

Meanwhile, Pontardawe are still desperately searching for their first victory after suffering a 60 run loss at Llanelli.

The West Walians were made to bat but set a useful target of 161, with Iwan Rees knocking a half century (53) and Vaughan Thomas contributing 34. Ponty’s Craig Richards and Sam Sherlock picked up three wickets apiece.

Some devastating bowling from Rob Hughes (4-37) and Rees (4-32) ensured that the visitors never came anywhere near troubling Llanelli’s total.

At the top of Division Three, Maesteg have cut Porthcawl’s advantage at the summit to 22 points after the Llynfi Valley side comfortably dispatched Drefach by four wickets.

The Carmarthenshire side were skittled for 127, with John Davies starring in attack for the visitors as he captured 5-41.

Maesteg chased down the total in the 40th over for the loss of six wickets, with Andrew King (38) and Geoff Watkins (24) producing the goods with the willow.

Meanwhile, Merthyr Tydfil were no match for a Luke O’Connor inspired Margam outfit, going down by 37 runs as it becomes increasingly tight at the top of the table.

Margam batted first and were dismissed in the 34th over for 123, with O’Connor leading the way with a solid 37 while Rhodri Reynolds contributed 26. In attack, Ron Walton and Andrew Lewis bagged four wickets apiece.

Merthyr fell well short of the total in response with O’Connor destroying the order as he snared 5-7, while Reynolds captured 5-43.

Elsewhere, Cimla made it back to back wins with a thumping 159 run triumph over fellow strugglers Dyffryn, while leaders Porthcawl could only pick up a losing draw against Landore.

Finally, in the battle at the top of Division Four, it was Pwll that came out on top as they extended their lead at the summit with a six wicket win over Baglan, while Llantwit Major Cavaliers leapt to third with a clinical seven wickets victory over strugglers Llandarcy.